National Gallery Artists

Born Michal Antoni Leszczynski on March 26 in Dolina, Poland. Son of Franciszek Leszczynski official and Eleanor Walter. His mother was a painter, a graduate of the St. Petersburg Academy and was Lester’s first tutor in painting.

1928

After attending the Polish State Nautical College in Gdynia, he receives his diploma in Marine Studies he later spends two semesters at the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts. He also studies Piano at the Chopin School of Music, Warsaw Conservatory.

1937

Starts making a name for himself in the London Art world.

1938

One man exhibition: London Wertheim Gallery,

1939

One man exhibitions, Dartford Museum and Egan Gallery, London

Received the Atlantic star War Medal

1943

Marries Peggy Davis in London

1944

After World War II, occupied for several years in salvage work around British coasts. His book ‘How to Draw Sail & Sea’ published by Studio Publications of London & New York

1946

One man exhibition in London

1949

“Marine Perspective’ published by Studio Publications of London & New York
One man exhibited in London
1952

Arrives in Jamaica and lives for a while in Kingston with the family of the late Daniel Finzi, at Rekadom on Hope Rd. Rekadom’s old carriage house is converted into a studio for Lester. (The property is now the Kingston YMCA.)

1953

Lester exhibits drawings in the Institute of Jamaica’s Annual Art Exhibition. Peggy joins him in Jamaica and they move to Montego Bay. In November the newly crowned Elizabeth IInd makes her first visit to Jamaica as part of a Commonwealth tour. Lester paints the large painting The Departure of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh from Port Royal Jamaica based on sketches done at the event. The painting is acquired by the Institute of Jamaica and eventually hung at King’s House. The painting is returned to the Institute of Jamaica in 2005 in a ruinous state and awaits extensive restoration.
1954

Lester exhibits several paintings in the Institute of Jamaica’s Annual Art Exhibition. Lester’s work is singled out for praise by The Gleaner’s reviewer Harry Milner who lists a “Jamaican Still Life with Flowers”, a “Jamaican Street Scene” and “Jamaican Cottage as being of special interest. The exhibition is opened by Noel Coward

1955

Establishes Lester Art Gallery in Montego Bay at 20 Market Street. Peggy manages the gallery allowing the artist time to paint. Between 1955 and his death in 1972 Lester devotes most of his time to painting. The majority of his works are sold to tourists and winter residents through the Lester Gallery.

1960

Received award of Excellence from Art Directors Club sixth annual exhibition in Richmond Virginia

1969

Exhibition at Chelsea Gallery, New York

1972

Lester dies of a viral infection.

1979

Commemorative Exhibition held in Warsaw by the Polish Ministry of Culture. The National Gallery collaborates with the Polish Government in the preparation of this exhibition. During the preparation period for the exhibition, the National Gallery purchases the painting Gladioli which is loaned to the exhibition. Peggy Lester donates Seated Girl (Cat. 17) to the National Gallery.

1980

The National Gallery acquires six preparatory studies for the Departure of the Queen from Jamaica from Peggy Lester.

1982

The Royal Bank Foundation purchases three Lester paintings from the Dorit Hutson Collection (Cats. 5, 7, 8 ) and donates them along with nine other works to the National Gallery of Jamaica.

1983

Lester’s painting Landscape, 1952 (Cat.8) is included in the landmark touring Smithsonian Institution exhibition. Jamaican Art 1922-1982. Between June

1983 and June 1986,

The exhibition is shown in thirteen important venues in the United States, Canada, Haiti and at the National Gallery of Jamaica.

1986

His Excellency, Sir Florizel Glasspole, Governor General of Jamaica opens a Retrospective Exhibition of Lesters work at Tryall Great House, in Hanover. The three day exhibition marks the eightieth anniversary of Lester’s birth

1994

Hugh Dunphy of Bolivar Gallery donates “Jamaican Girl, 1961” (Cat.18) to the National Gallery. The painting is one of 178 works exhibited in the exhibition Recent Acquisitions including Gifts in Honour of the Twentieth Anniversary of the National Gallery of Jamaica.

2006

National Gallery of Jamaica marks the centenary of Lester’s birth with the exhibition: Michael Lester: Picturing Paradise which opens at the gallery on May 28th.

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